During two journeys across China, Ahmad Nadalian released stones with images of fish and dragons in different rivers.
Journey across China – The Land of Dragon 2007
In September of 2007 I traveled to China and was able to perform a collection of environmental art projects in several regions of this vast country.
My first destination was Urumqi in northwestern China. I explored the city and left some carvings on rocks and then traveled to Guangzhou in southern China. Afterwards I journeyed to Guilin where I had meetings with local artists, experienced local Chinese culture and foods, and performed some of my projects.
Elephant Trunk Hill – Guilin
My ‘stone fish’ meets the water
I used a boat on the Lijiang River to travel from Guilin to Yangshuo where I realized many environmental projects. The unique natural scenery of the region has always been a magnet for far eastern poets and artists. During my journey I dropped many of my stones carved with the image of fish into the river. It was very exciting to capture the moment when my ‘stone fish’ meets the water.
Lijiang River
Between Guilin to Yangshuo, Lijiang travels 83 kilometers. Along the river banks are the spectacular landscapes and elegant hills, the towering peaks, the variegated cliffs and odd-shaped crags reflected in the mirror of its crystal-clear water and wonderful pools, running springs and flying waterfalls everywhere. A lot of excellent poems and literary works in ancient and modern appreciate her beauty. Han Yu, a great poet in Tang Dynasty, had written a popular poem to praise the beautiful scenery of Lijiang River.
The river winds like a blue silk ribbon,
While the hills erect like green jade hairpins.
Yangshuo
The Dragon symbol or form can be seen everywhere in China – in old murals and carvings to new decorations and advertisements. This mythological and imaginary creature was also a source of inspiration for some of my carvings in Yangshuo. I left one of my carvings with an image of the dragon in the Dragon River near Dragon Bridge. I also hid one of my dragons on the top of Moon Hill, and I carved a dragon on a rock on Dragon Mountain near Yangshuo.
Dragon Bridge
The immortal mountain and pure water : A Journey to China 2010
The main purpose of my trip to China was the Biennial which this time had an emphasis on environmental issues. In spite of the planning that took me a year and a half, because the Chinese did not send my invitation on time, I arrived the day after Beijing’s opening. The arrangements of my trip had not been done just as I had expected. The best part of my trip was when I was by myself and worked in nature.
